Three of Big Four through to Madrid semis

Andy Murray defeated Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-2 at the Madrid Open to reach his second consecutive semifinal at a Masters tournament on clay.

Murray was in control from the start against the eighth-ranked Berdych, hitting 20 winners and not conceding any break points.

The defending champion will next play fifth-ranked Rafael Nadal, who beat Joao Sousa in three sets.

Nadal was coasting against the unseeded Portuguese player before Sousa rallied; Nadal eventually wrapped up a 6-0 4-6 6-3 win.

Murray, ranked No.2, lost to Nadal in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters last month.

The British player has won six of his last seven matches on clay, the surface he struggled on the most early in his career.

Murray needs to win the title this weekend to avoid being overtaken by Roger Federer in the rankings.

Also advancing was world No.1 Novak Djokovic, who dismissed Milos Raonic in straight sets.

It takes his record to a perfect 7-0.

In the semifinals he will face Kei Nishikori, after the sixth seed overcame Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in three torrid sets.